Description

This impressive volume presents a thorough examination of all aspects of physical impairment and disability in medieval Europe. Examining a popular era that is of great interest to many historians and researchers, Irene Metzler presents a theoretical framework of disability and explores key areas such as:

medieval theoretical concepts

theology and natural philosophy

notions of the physical body

medical theory and practice.

Bringing into play the modern day implications of medieval thought on the issue, this is a fascinating and informative addition to the research studies of medieval history, history of medicine and disability studies scholars the English-speaking world over.

Reviews

"…what an extraordinary achievement this pioneering book is." – Social History of Medicine

"When Irina Metzler's book first came out in 2006, it was not immediately evident that it was one of those rare pioneering works that opens a whole field of study in a discipline. … But Metzler performed important services for both medievalists and for scholars in Disability Studies. … Metzler's book has opened an important conversation and provides, for those interested in the issue of disability in the Middle Ages, a welcome place to begin." – Leah Shopkow (Indiana University), The Medieval Review